Abstract

Current cognitive models of Web navigation (e.g., Information
Foraging Theory, IFT, Pirolli, 2007) are based on the assumption that users
behavior is guided by evaluating the topical relevance of information encountered
on the Web. This information scent has been successfully used to
model Web search behavior. In this paper, however, we claim that
topicality-oriented theories like IFT need to additionally consider the
evaluation of information quality in order to address a broader class of
realistic search tasks. For instance, when search tasks are complex and the
quality of available Web information is highly variable, Web navigation will also
depend on evaluating information quality, in addition to evaluating topical
relevance. In this paper we first provide a theoretical framework of quality
evaluation during Web search. Second, we review two experimental studies to
substantiate this theoretical framework. Finally, we propose an extension of IFT
using the concept of epistemic scent to incorporate evaluations of quality into
the theory.